Discover the Best Desserts in San Francisco

Visiting SF soon? Make sure you check out the best desserts in San Francisco – these are a must try! During our week in the city, it rained almost every day, so we spent a lot of time inside dessert shops, restaurants, and museums. Each dessert place has something unique that can only be found there.

These are the best desserts in San Francisco!

1. Salt & Straw

“Salt & Straw may be the only ice cream chainlet in the country to claim the kind of cult following reserved for ’80s movies or indie bands.” – Bon Appetit

My first visit to Salt & Straw was when we were looking for the best desserts in San Francisco. They have cereal icecreams like Peanut Butter Brownie Cereal Puffs, or Classic West Coast flavors like honey lavender (that’s what I got!), cinnamon snickerdoodle, pear and blue cheese, and a vegan strawberry & coconut water sherbet.

2. Choux

248 Fillmore Street, San Francisco

Think cream puffs, but BETTER. These melt-in-your-mouth French treats come in flavors like passion fruit chocolate, rose, vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry. You’ll find other delicacies such as Cannelés Boxes, a mini custard cake, a specialty of Bordeaux in France. This is a walk-up shop with no seating so find a cute cafe and enjoy your treats with a cup of coffee.

Places to Stay in San Francisco

3. Over The Moon Creamery

2144 Chestnut St, San Francisco

Have you ever wanted to build your own ice cream sandwich? Well you can, at Over the Moon Creamery! Two cookies too much? They also have cookie bowls to hold your ice cream. With flavors like Peanut Butter Patties (Girl Scout cookies), Black Raspberry cheesecake, and vegan chocolate Oreo – there is something for everyone.

4. Miette Patisserie Confiserie

One, Ferry Building, Shop 10, San Francisco

Miette is located in the Ferry Building. It is a cute little shop that sells, toffee, these yummy lavender shortbread cookies, and macarons. They also do special occasions and wedding cakes. I recommend walking around the Ferry Building to go wine tasting, food tastings, and shopping as you nibble on the treats from Miette.

5. Trish’s Donuts

Pier 39, Pier 39 Concourse, San Francisco

Located on Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf right on the boardwalk, is Trish’s Mini Donuts. These melt in your mouth, drops of sugary goodness are probably THE BEST donuts I’ve ever had. If you go to just one place on this list – let it be Trish’s. Grab a bag of the minis after dinner and shopping on the pier. They’re the perfect dessert after a long day in the city.

6. Uji Time Dessert

22 Peace Plaza #440, San Francisco

Uji Time Dessert was an experience all its own. We had no idea what to expect because we weren’t exactly sure what we were ordering. You place your order on an iPad outside the cafe and build your dessert. First, you choose a cone, the most popular is the original Taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry that’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. I went with a waffle cone, matcha and Ube ice cream, with pocky sticks, marshmallow crunchies, and a Biscoff cookie.

7. Mochill Mochidonut

1737 Post St #395, San Francisco, CA 94115

Mochi Donuts have a unique chewy texture that you can’t find in any of the donuts around the world. They’re crispy and chewy with the texture of a donut. Various toppings give you additional options for flavors. Try the PB&J or the classic glazed – there are always new flavors!

8. Cafe Maiko

1581 Webster St # 175, San Francisco, CA 94115

Cafe Maiko products are imported straight from Uji, Japan – so you know you’re getting the real deal. While adventuring in Japantown we were headed back to Hotel Kabuki we came across this authentic Japanese cafe that served matcha in every form, and hojicha, which is a spicier kind of tea. Logan opted for the Ube ice cream, with bubble tea and it was outstanding.

9. Cafe Soleil

400 Waller St, San Francisco, CA 94117

I don’t know about you, but I have this problem where I need to try all the flavors when macaroons are involved. After brunch at Purple Rice, it was POURING outside. Raining so hard that the streets started flooding! With no umbrellas, we sought a nearby cafe where we could grab a warm drink and a treat. We came across Cafe Soleil, which sells pastries, Parisian-inspired eats, coffee & wine served in a corner bistro with sidewalk and indoor tables. I went with the chocolate, matcha, vanilla, rose, and birthday cake macaroons, and a bold dark coffee.